Whenever a new role opens up in the world of superheroes, rumors run wild as to who will play who. Some rumors are radical. Others, possible. Others still are ridiculous, unfounded and absurd. When you trace the rumor back to its source, you realize that what you're hearing is based on less than hearsay. It's based on wild guessing, at best.Some of you might've heard about Henry Cavill being considered to replace Hugh Jackman for the role of Wolverine. This is, of course, assuming that Zac Effron, fresh off playing Ted Bundy, isn't the front runner for the role or something. Or was it Daniel Radcliffe? Is Scott Eastwood still in the running?These rumors are nonsense. Unless you read about it in a reputable source, always take these rumors with a grain of salt. Regardless, a few of you will need more evidence why, for now, it's unlikely this rumor has any truth behind it. Well...
Let's Trace the Rumor to Its Source
Some rumors can be traced to comments made by an actor. Others, magazine articles. But this one?
These are the earliest posts that might have launched the rumor.
Then there is this article from the site The Mother of All Nerds. The site claims that Henry Cavill is in talks with Marvel to play Wolverine, yet their only source for it is "social media." Not specific social media. Just social media in general. Furthermore, it's biggest citation is the photoshopped tweet we just showed you in this article.
That article in question spends more time talking about Cavill in The Witcher than providing any news of substance.
From there, the echo chambers circulated it.
But perhaps we're missing something. Perhaps there is more substance to this rumor than previously believed. Let's assume the person who posted that photoshop happens to work at Marvel and has insider information. We still should discount this rumor, because...
Kevin Feige Isn't Rushing the Fox MCU
Kevin Feige has made it clear he has no plans for incorporating the X-Men into the MCU anytime soon. Earlier this year, he was quoted as saying the following:
"It's all just beginning and the five-year plan that we've been working on, we were working on before any of that was set. So really it's much more, for us, less about specifics of when and where [The X-Men will appear] right now and more just the comfort factor and how nice it is that they're home. That they're all back. But it will be a very long time."
These are not the words of a man prepping Superman for another superhero role. Marvel just got the rights back for the X-Men. Legally, they couldn't even start writing their next film until the Disney and Fox deal finalized. The simple fact is there isn't enough time to have written an X-Men film or figured out anything.
With the recent Disney slate announced, the only X-Men franchise film on the list is The New Mutants, which was already filmed. Disney and Marvel Studios are clearly figuring out what to do with their properties (though it will no doubt include Deadpool somewhere). Until they have their plans sorted out, they won't make any big announcements or decisions.
That includes casting Henry Cavill as anyone, especially Wolverine.
The Rumor Mill
When it comes to reporting news on any media property, there is an urgency to report on any rumor. If someone went online tomorrow and said "Clint Eastwood is playing Wolverine," then any website can pick that up and say "Fans want Clint Eastwood to play Logan in MCU!"
That would be accurate, though misleading.
Such practices are exploitative, with the intent being to spark a rumor fire to draw attention. There is no news, and the people reporting on it know that.
Rumors like this spread because people want to know their favorite characters are coming. Even if they hate the rumored casting, they want to believe something is coming. The not knowing can be worse. After all, before Cavill, Effron was rumored. Tons of actors are rumored for roles.
Even actors who are "in talks for" a role don't necessarily get it. Jared Leto and Joaquin Phoenix were in talks for the role of Doctor Strange for awhile. Tom Cruise was rumored for Iron Man. Tom Hiddleston auditioned for Thor. None of them got the role. Even when an actor is rumored for a role, until official casting is announced, there is no guarantee any of it will come together.
Wait for real news. Don't drink up unsubstantiated rumors because you want them to be real. Trust us, when there's a substantial rumor worth listening to? Every major news outlet will talk about it.